SSAT Scores

Hi, I’m applying to Choate, Andover, Exeter, St. Paul’s and Taft. I received a 2265 on my SSAT in the 96th percentile. I know it’s high for average but is it high enough to be admitted to any of these schools?

It would be, if all they cared about was admitting students who are good at taking standardized tests. Test scores are just there to help them estimate whether you can handle the work.

These schools aren’t just about academics, however. They aren’t just looking for students. They need players for their sports teams, musicians and singers for their ensembles, actors and stage managers for their plays, leaders for their student government, writers for their newspapers and literary journals, etc.

How will you contribute to their community?

Will you enroll if they offer you a spot?

Will you need a lot of financial aid?

Are you mature enough to thrive living away from home?

What do your teachers and peers think of you? Are you a genuinely kind person?

Scores aren’t the most important factor. Not by a long shot.

96% is an outstanding score.

@great4patrick Did you take the January test? And, be proud of that score but don’t assume that it alone will get you into any of these schools. Boarding schools and colleges aren’t putting as much emphasis into test scores as they use to.

Thank you everyone for the tips! I am finishing my essays right now and I hope it works out. @CaliMex I answered most of those in my essays and we’re nowhere near close to being able to pay for it, so yes.

I agree with @CaliMex, to quote John Hutchins–Director of Admissions at PEA during a TSAO conference, “As long as we don’t have to talk about your SSAT score, your fine.” However, if this still isn’t satisfying enough (which I 100% understand) he also said that as long as you are between 80th to 90th percentile you are fine. GOOD LUCK! I’M ROOTING FOR YOU! I did have a quick question for the CC Community as I got the exact same raw score as you, but my percentile is 97. Maybe I am just reading into things too much, but does anyone know why that might be.

@CC4life When did you take the test?

@YoungThriver I took it in November. Does that make a 1 percentile difference overall?

They compare your scores to the kids who took the test within the past 3 years. The OP might have taken it a month or two later than you.

The percentiles are not based on just the kids who took it the same month as you. They are based on a 3 year grouping.

Maybe you are different grades? Or genders?

Oops. Sorry for the late response. I took it in November as well, so percentile might be from a certain state.

Percentiles are based on all kids who take the test, including international students so the state does not matter. It’s more likely one of you is a boy and one a girl. Or one an 8th grader and one a 9th grader.